Birkebeinerrennet

Yesterday a snow storm prevented the Skoeyte Birken (FT race at Birkebeinerrennet), today, Birkebeinerrennet main race day, the weather has turned 180 degrees: Cold, but blue sky and sunshine between Rena and Lillehammer. Andreas Nygaard and Astrid Oeyre Slind are on top of Birken 2023 results.

Slind with solo show

Astrid Oeyre Slind didn’t accept any challenger next to her, started her early solo breakaway. Soon it was clear, this is no playing around, but the serious attempt to keep the victory at Birken 2023 in Norway. Which she managed. In a great time of 2:50:44 she crossed the finish line in Lillehammer 59,6 seconds ahead of second Ida Dahl. The Swede prevented an all-Norwegian podium. On third place, with a gap of already 3:44,3, next Norwegian came in: Magni Smedas. Winner’s sister Silje Oeyre Slind finished fourth.

Andreas Nygaard leading a Norwegian sevenfold victory

Norway’s dominance is not only limited to the World Cup. Also at today’s Birkebeinerrennet only one Swede among just Norwegians made it into the top-10 in the men’s result. The strongest Norwegian today was Andreas Nygaard. After 2018 and last year, he is celebrating his 3rd victory at the Norwegian Worldloppet race. The decision was made on the final meter of the 54km race: In a sprint of four, Nygaard finished only 0,1 second ahead of Johan Hoel. 3rd place goes to Runar Skaug Mathisen with only 0,2 seconds gap. The fourth sprinter was Magnus Vesterheim, one second behind.

First pictures of Birkebeinerrennet 2023